Kansas City, Missouri
In the fall of 2017, our fourth year studio class took a several day trip to Kansas City, Missouri. The stars of our studies were the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and the Nelson-Atkins Museum, along with several Bruce Goff residences. The focus of this field trip was on sustainability. We had to take many photos and sketch the sustainable features and connections that we found within these buildings. Of particular interest to me were the cables that held the large completely glass facade of the Kauffman Center. Despite being entirely glass, the interior had air that circulated the prevent too much temperature transfer between the interior and exterior. The ceiling has suspended canvas covers which can be opened and closed to alter the natural daylighting. This sunlight serves to help regulate the temperature inside thanks to passive solar heating. The Nelson-Atkins Museum was of more interest due to how it embedded itself into the landscape. While the exterior is fairly simple, the building is mindful of its position within the site and ensuring it did not take away too much from the original environment by including gardens and native vegetation.